Assessor Resource

SITTIND201
Source and use information on the tourism and travel industry

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to all tourism sectors and many people working at different levels. Managers will use more formal research to attain specialised and comprehensive knowledge which supports product planning, marketing and strategic management activities. This is covered within other individual units.

This unit is not about having indepth knowledge but focuses on the ability to source and interpret information.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to source and use current and emerging information on the tourism and travel industry. This includes industry structure, technology, laws and ethical issues specifically relevant to the tourism and travel industry. Tourism personnel integrate this essential knowledge on a daily basis to work effectively in the industry.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

source current tourism industry information and use this in daytoday activities to maximise effective performance

demonstrate knowledge of the tourism industry, including main roles, functions and interrelationships of different sectors

integrate knowledge of the basic aspects of key laws and ethical issues specifically relevant to the tourism industry.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

computers, printers, communication technology and information programs used to source industry information

information on codes of conduct, membership and benefits distributed by:

industry associations

accreditation operators

unions

plain English documents issued by government regulators that describe laws specifically relevant to the tourism industry:

Criminal Code Act (1995) for child sex offences outside Australia

travel agents licensing acts

Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003).

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

exercises and project activities that allow assessment of the individual’s ability to:

obtain current and accurate tourism industry information

research information to meet differing operational needs

group projects that allow individuals to collectively source information on differing aspects of the tourism industry and present it in a portfolio

direct observation of the individual delivering an oral presentation on the sourced information

problem-solving exercises so the individual can identify new knowledge required to complete operational activities and source information to resolve the deficiency

written and oral questioning to assess knowledge of:

different sectors of the tourism industry and their interrelationships

laws relevant to the tourism industry

industry codes of conduct

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITTTSL201 Operate an online information system

SITXCOM101 Source and present information.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills including active listening and open and closed probe questioning to obtain information from:

experienced industry personnel

colleagues

suppliers

industry bodies

initiative and enterprise skills to suggest:

new and improved ways of doing things using emerging technology

organisational benefits of participating in industry quality assurance schemes

learning skills to continuously update knowledge of the tourism and travel industry

literacy skills to:

read and comprehend the content of plain English information about laws, industry accreditation schemes and codes of conduct

research, sort and use tourism and travel industry information

write notes, summarise and record information in basic documents such as information sheets, portfolios and files

planning and organising skills to complete daily operational activities while sourcing information required to support those

problem-solving skills to recognise knowledge deficiencies and take action to seek information

self-management skills to take responsibility for sourcing and updating current and emerging information

teamwork skills to share updated information with colleagues

technology skills to:

use a computer and keyboard

use online information systems to search for information.

Required knowledge

sources of information on the tourism and travel industry

structure of the tourism and travel industry and its different sectors including:

functions

key characteristics

business relationships between sectors

roles and general responsibilities for different jobs in the industry

general nature of allied and related industries including hospitality, meetings, incentives, conferences and events

primary functions of:

major crossindustry and sectorspecific industry associations especially those with which the organisation has a relationship

trade unions in the industry

local, regional, state and national tourism information service and marketing organisations

tourism research bodies

basic aspects of tourism and travel industry quality assurance processes:

industry accreditation schemes

codes of conduct or ethics

occupational licensing

reasons for participation and impacts of noncompliance

roles and responsibilities of individual staff members when participating in schemes

basic aspects of state, territory and commonweath laws specifically relevant to the tourism and travel industry and actions that must be adhered to by tourism organisations:

Criminal Code Act (1995) for child sex offences outside Australia

travel agents licensing acts

for inbound tour operators and guides, basic aspects of and actions that must be adhered to by tourism organisations:

Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003) for the delivery of tourism products in Queensland

basic aspects of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) law including rights of employees and responsibilities of employers to make merit based employment decisions

current and emerging technology used in the tourism industry, including ebusiness and social media.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information may include:

computer data, including the Internet

discussions with experienced industry personnel

industry:

accreditation operators

associations and organisations

developers of codes of conduct or ethics

journals

seminars

networking with:

colleagues

suppliers

plain English documents, issued by government regulators, that describe laws relevant to the tourism and travel industry

libraries

media

personal observations and experience

regional, state and national tourism offices

reference books

training courses

unions.

The tourism industry involves a range of sectors and businesses including:

accommodation

attractions

coordination:

councils

industry associations

research bodies

taskforces

cruise ships

guiding

information services and promotion:

visitor information centres

regional, state and national tourism offices

meetings, incentives, conventions and events

retail travel

tour operations

tour wholesaling:

inbound tour operators

outbound wholesalers

transport:

coach

regular public transport and charter airlines

vehicle hire

vessels.

Information of relevance to the tourism industry may include:

career opportunities within the industry

different sectors and organisations within the industry, their relationships and the services available in each sector

different tourism markets and their relevance to industry sectors

economic and social significance of the tourism and travel industry, which may relate to:

community role in tourism

effect on local amenities and facilities

employment

population change due to tourism development

industrial relations and award provisions

major tourism and travel industry bodies and associations

quality assurance schemes

relationships between tourism and other industries, including:

agriculture

arts

conservation

entertainment

events

hospitality

retail

science and research

sports

role of and impacts on local communities

roles and general responsibilities for different jobs in the industry

specific features of the local and regional industry.

To enhance the quality of work performance may involve:

improving skills and productivity

providing tourism products and services to meet current market trends and customer expectations

providing quality tourism service

suggesting new and improved ways of doing things

working effectively with:

other sectors of the tourism and travel industry

suppliers

working according to:

ethical industry practices to ensure smooth tourism operations

the law to avoid problems for self and the enterprise.

Laws may cover:

business and occupational licensing

child sex tourism

EEO

Queensland Tourism Services Act (2003)

travel agents licensing

workplace relations – Fair Work Australia.

Quality assurance schemes may include:

accreditation schemes

codes of conduct or ethics

industry association membership

occupational licences.

Ethical industry practices may relate to:

agreed compliance with:

accreditation schemes

codes of conduct

preferred product arrangements

payment of commission

terms of payment

confidentiality of customer information

consumer protection:

provision of services as promoted

reasonable consumer pricing

truth and honesty in all information given to customers

declaration of:

commissions

fees and other charges

gifts and services provided free of charge

tips

overbooking

product recommendations

professional behaviour when participating in familiarisations and industry events.

Technologies may involve:

customer technologies:

applications for electronic devices and computers

automated airport check-ins

online booking systems

online check-ins

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems

ebusiness

industry:

online booking systems

reservations, operations and financial and tracking systems

project management systems

social media sites.

Opportunitiesmay include:

discussions with experienced industry personnel

networking with:

colleagues

suppliers

participating in:

industry accreditation schemes

industry seminars

membership of professional industry associations

union membership

training courses.

Current issues and trendsfor the industry may relate to:

emerging markets

environmental, social and cultural impacts

government initiatives

industry expansion or retraction

industry initiatives

labour issues

maintaining organisational and industry profitability by productivity and pricing flexibility

shrinking markets.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify sources of information on the structure and operation of the tourism industry. 
Access specific information of relevance to the tourism and travel industry to assist operational duties. 
Obtain information on features of current and in trend tourism products and services relevant to job role. 
Use knowledge of the tourism and travel industry and its products and services to enhance the quality of work performance. 
Obtain information on laws specifically relevant to the tourism and travel industry and work compliantly. 
Seek information on industry quality assurance schemes. 
Access information on career planning and equal employment opportunity law. 
Conduct day to day tourism activities according to ethical industry practices. 
Source and access information on current and emerging technologies that impact on operational duties. 
Use information on technology to suggest new and improved workplace practices. 
Use current and emerging technology in day to day work activities. 
Identify and use a range of opportunities to update knowledge of the tourism and travel industry. 
Monitor current issues and trends for the industry. 
Share updated information with colleagues. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SITTIND201 - Source and use information on the tourism and travel industry
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SITTIND201 - Source and use information on the tourism and travel industry

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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